MEDIA RELEASE

A 24-year-old Honokaa man died of injuries he suffered in a vehicle crash Saturday (May 21, 2005) on Kapulena Airstrip Road about 3.5 miles from the Honokaa-Waipio Road (Route 240) in Hamakua.

The victim, a passenger, was identified as Jarrod Jonas Lawrence.

Responding to a 10:38 p.m. call, Hamakua patrol officers determined that a 40-year-old Honokaa man was driving a 1979 Jeep north on the airstrip road when he lost control of the vehicle, which ran off the left side of the road and overturned.

The driver was flown by the Fire Department’s medical helicopter to the Hilo Medical Center, where he was reported in critical condition.

Two other male passengers, 18 and 34, both of Honokaa, were taken to the North Hawaii Community Hospital, where they were listed in satisfactory condition.

Speed and alcohol appear to be factors in the crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Because the crash occurred on a private road, the death was not counted as a traffic fatality for statistical purposes.